The WRC was established in 1973 by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), making it one of the longest-running motorsport competitions.¹⁾

The WRC is a global series, featuring rallies on every continent except Antarctica, taking place in diverse locations like forests, mountains, deserts, and city streets.²⁾

WRC cars race on a wide range of surfaces, including gravel, asphalt, snow, and ice, testing the drivers' ability to adapt.³⁾

Rally events consist of timed “special stages” on closed roads, with the fastest times determining the overall winner.⁴⁾

Every WRC driver has a co-driver who reads out “pace notes,” which describe the upcoming road in extreme detail, guiding the driver at high speeds.⁵⁾

The Group B cars of the 1980s are legendary for their extreme power and lightweight design, leading to some of the fastest, and most dangerous, rallying ever.⁶⁾

Group B was banned in 1987 after several fatal accidents, leading to the introduction of safer regulations in rally car design.⁷⁾

WRC cars today are highly modified versions of road cars, equipped with advanced 4WD systems and turbocharged engines.⁸⁾

One of the sport's most iconic drivers, Scotland’s Colin McRae became the youngest-ever world champion at age 27 in 1995, driving for Subaru.⁹⁾

Sébastien Loeb holds the record for the most WRC titles, winning nine consecutive championships from 2004 to 2012.¹⁰⁾

Another French rally legend, Sébastien Ogier, has won eight world championships as of 2023, making him the second-most successful driver in WRC history.¹¹⁾

Teams like Subaru, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, and Citroën have battled for the top spot over the years, with Citroën having dominated the sport during the Loeb era.¹²⁾

Known for its high-speed gravel roads and big jumps, Rally Finland is one of the most popular and challenging events on the WRC calendar.¹³⁾

The Monte Carlo Rally, which dates back to 1911, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious events in WRC, famous for its unpredictable weather.¹⁴⁾

The 1974 Safari Rally, which took place in Kenya, was the longest event in WRC history, covering over 5,000 kilometers.¹⁵⁾

Some rallies feature “night stages,” where drivers race in the dark with only their headlights to guide them.¹⁶⁾

The last stage of each rally is known as the “Power Stage,” where extra championship points are awarded to the fastest drivers.¹⁷⁾

WRC cars can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) on gravel or dirt roads, depending on the stage.¹⁸⁾

These are support series for drivers and teams using less powerful cars, offering a stepping stone to the top-level WRC.¹⁹⁾

The WRC has seen champions from countries like France, Finland, Sweden, the UK, Spain, and more.²⁰⁾

Finnish drivers have won the WRC Drivers' Championship 14 times, earning Finland the nickname “the land of rally drivers.”²¹⁾

In addition to the drivers' title, there is a manufacturers' championship, where carmakers compete for top honors.²²⁾

Some of the most iconic cars in rally history include the Lancia Stratos, Subaru Impreza, Ford Focus, Audi Quattro, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.²³⁾

Modern WRC cars use small, turbocharged 1.6-liter engines, producing over 380 horsepower.²⁴⁾

4WD technology became widespread in WRC during the 1980s, offering better traction on loose surfaces.²⁵⁾

Starting in 2022, WRC introduced hybrid powertrains, combining electric motors with internal combustion engines to make the cars faster and more environmentally friendly.²⁶⁾

While most WRC drivers are part of factory teams, some compete as privateers, using their own resources and smaller teams.²⁷⁾

Rallying is unique in that weather can change dramatically during an event, from dry roads to torrential rain or snow within a few hours.²⁸⁾

Between stages, cars are repaired and adjusted by teams in service parks, often with limited time and under strict rules.²⁹⁾

WRC attracts millions of spectators annually, both at the events and through global TV broadcasts.³⁰⁾